GANT RELOAD: Week of June 2

The GantDaily.com weekly reload gives readers a look back upon the most noteworthy stories of their work week. It contains the big headlines, as well as a few stories you might have missed. It might even include a story or two of the lighter side.

The GantDaily.com reload will be posted each weekend for your perusal. For most part, the reload will be filled with local headlines, but every now and again, a state, world or national story will make the list.

On May 21-22, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh hosted various community leaders from the Curwensville area at its kick off training session at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.

The FHL Bank of Pittsburgh is a wholesale bank that serves the housing finance and community and economic development needs of its owner members. Northwest Savings Bank of Curwensville is one member that is represented in support of the 2014 Curwensville Blueprint Communities Initiative.

“As Pennsylvanians, we are doing our fair share to reduce carbon emissions, and we have made great strides in recent years. While we continue to review the EPA’s proposed rulemaking in detail, I am concerned that these new mandates will eventually shut down hundreds of coal-fired power plants across the country and destroy thousands of family-sustaining jobs. Those reports, if true, are unacceptable.

“In Pennsylvania, nearly 63,000 men and women, including 8,100 miners, work in jobs supported by the coal industry. Anything that seeks to or has the effect of shutting down coal-fired power plants is an assault on Pennsylvania jobs, consumers, and those citizens who rely upon affordable, abundant domestic energy.

WILLIAMSPORT – The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has announced it has awarded $819,444 for the Coaldale abandoned mine reclamation project in Rush Township and $321,718 for the Moshannon Far North project in Snow Shoe Township. Both projects are in Centre County.

“Pennsylvania has approximately 180,000 acres of abandoned mine sites in need of remediation, and our aggressive program is reclaiming these sites to eliminate harmful acid mine drainage, protect our waterways and return the land to its original condition,” DEP Deputy Secretary for the Office of Active and Abandoned Mine Operations John Stefanko said.

TYRONE – Officials at the Tyrone Hospital announced yesterday that they have created the Tyrone Regional Health Network (TRHN), a new name being given to describe the collaborative, community-based healthcare offered through the hospital and all its affiliates across the region.

Also announced were plans for a 38,000 square foot expansion to Tyrone Hospital and a capital campaign to be launched by the Tyrone Hospital Foundation to support the project. The announcement was made during a press conference.

The supervisors tabled a decision on awards pending review of the engineer and solicitor. They directed the secretary to check availability of reserves on paving funds. Supervisor Ed Brown noted the bids are much higher than anticipated, and they may need to rebid the project.

CLEARFIELD – Yesterday, the Clearfield County Commissioners approved a resolution to appropriate funding for the first quarter to the Area Transportation Authority (ATA).

Clearfield County is among the municipalities that incorporated the ATA. The commissioners previously appropriated their local match to the ATA on an annual basis but now plan to consider the same on a quarterly basis.

Commissioner John A. Sobel, chair, said the county will appropriate $29,667.50 to the ATA for use during the period of July 1-Sept. 30. He noted it’s paid the last two quarterly payments due from the last fiscal year.

CLEARFIELD – At yesterday’s work session, the Clearfield County Commissioners approved a resolution and granted tefra approval to Penn Highlands Healthcare for a $90 million financing.

Penn Highlands Healthcare consists of campuses in Clearfield, DuBois, St. Marys and Brookville, as well as a few other affiliated entities. The DuBois City Hospital Authority is the financing entity for the financing, said County Solicitor Kim Kesner.

Kesner explained that after a previous commissioners’ meeting, bond counsel for the hospital authority contacted him. He was advised that he’d incorrectly stated the financing amount to the media.

HARRISBURG – A study that says Pennsylvania could save about $5 million a year by merging its fish and game commissions is generating divided opinions on a legislative panel.

Officials with the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee reviewed their conclusions today with members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee.

The nonpartisan research organization’s senior counsel, Patricia Berger, says the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission could cut 52 jobs by consolidating. She says Pennsylvania is the only state that has separate agencies to regulate fish and wildlife.

CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Fair Queen Contest is still open for entrants. The on-stage contest will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 27 at the Grandstand at the Clearfield County Fairgrounds.

Judges will select the Clearfield County Fair Queen, as well as a first and second runner-up. The queen and her court will represent the Clearfield County Fair and Clearfield County for one year.

In June, entrants begin the contest by submitting an essay titled: “What My Fair Means to My Community.” On Sunday, July 27, entrants will participate in a personal interview prior to the on-stage contest.

CLEARFIELD – A woman accused of smuggling Subutex into the Clearfield County Jail waived her right to a preliminary hearing during Centralized Court on Wednesday.

Jessica Marie Anstead, 24, of Clearfield has been charged with criminal attempt/manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and contraband/controlled substances. Her bail is set at $25,000 unsecured.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on March 16, Lawrence Township police received information that a female, Anstead, entered the jail with drugs. Also, the female had since left.

HARRISBURG – The State Senate has approved legislation to further protect Pennsylvania children from sexual abuse and impose a mandatory minimum sentence for murder of a child, according to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25).

Scarnati explained that House Bill 112 was passed by the full Senate by a vote of 45 to 1.

The legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Vereb and would establish specific guidelines to punish athletic coaches, trainers or other sports officials who have sex with a child-athlete who is under 18 years old. The bill also creates the offense of “sexual assault by a sports official,” which would be graded as a third-degree felony.